Free entry back to our past
94 LOCATIONS OPEN THIS YEAR AS PART OF THE HERITAGE OPEN DAY WEEKENDS
TAKE a dip into some of the county’s historical hidden gems as part of this year’s Heritage Open Days double weekend.
New venues for 2018 in Nottinghamshire include the chance to tread the boards in Nottingham at the Squire Performing Arts Centre and the opportunity to channel your inner caveman (or woman) and make some flint tools (eating woolly mammoth is optional, probably).
Many old favourites have made a return to with the likes of the Nottingham Industrial Museum and Beeston Heritage Trail back on the list for the annual event taking place between September 6-9 and 13-16.
With 94 locations to chose from there really is something for everyone and as admission is completely free, time is your only limit. Take a look below for a few of our highlights:
NEW HERITAGE OPEN DAY VENUES IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE FOR 2018
Squire Performing Arts Centre1-3 Arboretum St, Nottingham NG1 4JB
Tread the boards with backstage tours of this brand-new theatre space. Visitors can take a look at the control room, dressing rooms, and stage, and participate in hands-on activities including lighting and sound workshops with the technicians, or drama and dance performance classes.
Opening: Saturday, September 15: 10am-3pm
No booking required
Ice Age Journeys: Flint-knapping Workshop in Newark Sconce and Devon Park, Boundary Road, Newark, NG24 4AU
Go back to the Ice Age and have-a-go at making flint tools, like those excavated in the local area. Led by a craftsman flintknapper, the workshops will demonstrate the prehistoric techniques, as well showcasing some of the real ancient tools found nearby at Farndon Fields.
Opening: Sunday, September 9: 10.30am-4pm
No booking required
RETURNING FOR 2018 St Mary the Virgin Church, Attenborough Church Lane, Attenborough, Beeston, Not-
tinghamshire, NG9 6AS
Check out the history of this Grade I Listed building with a look at the small exhibition inside alongside the guide booklets available for adults and children.
There is also memorial to those people killed in the First World War Chilwell Shell Explosion in the churchyard and in a lucky turn of events this year a flower festival will be taking place at the same time.
Opening: Saturday, September 8: 10am-6pm; Sunday, September 9: 2.30pm-6pm
No booking required
Beeston and District Civic Society Bartons plc, Barton House, 61 High Road, Chilwell, NG9 4AJ
Take a look at what the society has been up to this year at this open day which includes two displays about their activities in the community. Members of the society will also be on hand to answer any questions about their role in the area.
Opening : Saturday, September 8: 10am-3.30pm
No booking required
Beeston Conservative Club148 Station Road, Beeston, NG9 2AY
You may remember the Station Road location as the old Bostocks building or perhaps as the Regent ballroom in the 1930s.
Well, while it has been completely renovated, the club has been careful to retain the building’s original facade, in particular the bay window which dominated the front on the first floor with its stained glass. Now, for four days you can have a nosey inside.
Opening: Thursday, September 6 - Sunday, September 9: Noon2pm
Thursday, September 13 - Sunday, September 16: Noon-2pm
No booking required
Beeston Heritage Trail Beeston Town Centre, The Podium, Beeston Square, Beeston, NG9 1EF
This two-hour walk will begin and end in Beeston Square (meet at The Podium) and will provide a brief introduction to the history of the town.
Beginning with an outline of the structure of the area, walkers will then circle the centre of Beeston to take in the remaining mills, the High Road, new developments either side of Station Road, and old Beeston before returning to the Square.
Sunday, September 16: 2.30pm5pm
No booking required
Beeston Town Hall Foster Avenue, Beeston, NG9 1AE
The Town Hall is the Civic Centre of Broxtowe. This year there will be old maps and memorabilia available in the Old Council Chamber and it is hoped that guided tours will be available by past mayors.
This event will be opened by The Mayor of Broxtowe at 11am followed by a charity event where refreshments and cakes will be available.
Opening: Friday, September 7: 11am-2pm
No booking required
Canalside Heritage Centre Canal Cottages,, Canalside, Beeston, Nottinghamshire, NG9 1LZ
Free entry to the exhibitions, creative craft activities for all ages and guided walks along the canal side with one of the centre’s walk leaders.
Opening: Saturday, September 8: 10.30am-4.30pm
No booking required
Christ Church in Chilwell, College Road, Chilwell, Beeston, Nottinghamshire, NG9 4AS
Enjoy delicious home made cakes and a cuppa while you browse the historic place of worship that has been part of the Chilwell for more than 100 years.
Opening: Saturday, September 8: 8.30am-5pm
No booking required
Classic Car Drop In at Bartons, Bartons PLC, Barton House, High Road, Chilwell, Beeston, Nottinghamshire, NG9 4AJ
Go back in time as you share with classic car owners the vehicles they still use and enjoy today.
“Tell your children that this is the car you learned to drive in, or it was the car you went courting in,” say organisers.
If you have a classic car you are welcomed to come along and share it for as long or short a time as you wish.
Opening: Saturday, September 8: 10am-3.30pm
No booking required
GH Hurt & Son Ltd: The Shawl Factory 65 High Road, Chilwell, Beeston, NG9 4AJ
GH Hurt & Son is renowned for its knitted and hand-finished scarves and shawls.
The company was established in an old seed warehouse built in 1781, where it remains to this day.
Rare historic lace-knitting machines will be in action and visitors are invited to have a go at hand-finishing a shawl in the traditional Shetland way.
Opening: Saturday, September 8: 9am-1pm
No booking required
The Flintham Museum, Inholms Road, Flintham, near Newark, NG23 5LF
Visit a museum which looks at rural life through the eyes of a village shopkeeper. The theme for the museum’s shop window displays for this year is Travel.
Take a journey told through unsold shop stock and advertising material with unexpected humour and quirky features.
Children’s quiz and leaflets available for self-conducted walks around the village which is a conservation area. Teas and homemade cakes available on site.
Opening: Sunday, September 9:
11am - 4pm
No booking required
Behind the Scenes at the Palace Theatre, Newark Appleton Gate, Newark, NG24 1JY
The Palace Theatre Newark was built by local business woman Emily Blagg and opened in 1920.
Over the last 97 years many well known actors and entertainers have been on the stage including Baldertonborn Sir Donald Wolfit who played Shakespearean roles here.
Now you have the chance to visit the backstage areas and stand on the stage in the same place as those performers who make the theatre such an entertaining place to visit.
Opening: Sunday, September 9: 10am-4pm
No booking required
Beeston Camera Club at Bartons
A display from Beeston Camera Club members in both monochrome and colour, highlighting a whole range of subject matter including natural history, landscapes, sport and portraits.
Opening: Saturday, September 8: 10am - 4pm
No booking required
Green’s Windmill and Science Centre, Windmill Lane, NG2 4QB
Green’s Windmill is a restored 19th century tower mill, once home to mathematical physicist George Green. Turning again since 1986, climb to the top of the windmill and see how the sails turn grain into flour. As part of Heritage Open Days there will be an exhibition detailing the mill’s history and hidden gems from the archive including press cuttings and photographs.
Opening: Thursday, September 6 - Sunday, September 9: 10am-4pm
Thursday, September 13-Sunday, September 16: 10am-4pm
No booking required
Home Farm Barn 17 Main Street, Keyworth, NG12 5AA
This Grade Ii-listed barn dates from the 17th century although most of the existing structure is 18th and 19th century. It had become structural unsafe in recent years so extensive restoration work was carried out last winter.
Opening: Saturday, September 8: 10am-4pm
No booking required
Nottingham Industrial Museum Wollaton Road, NG8 2AD
The volunteer-run museum, now a registered charity, boasts a treasure trove of stories and objects from Nottingham’s industrial heritage.spend a couple of hours learning about the skills and ingenuity of the workers and entrepreneurs that put Nottingham at the heart of the industrial revolution.
Opening: Saturday, September 8 - Sunday, September 9: 11am - 5pm
No booking required
■ For a full list of Nottinghamshire’s Heritage Open Days visit: heritageopendays.org.uk